Keyamo Honoured With Silverbird’s “Minister Of The Year Award” Announces FAAN’s Cashless Policy

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has been honoured as Minister of the Year 2025/2026 at the prestigious Silverbird Man of the Year Awards.

The colourful ceremony, held at the upscale Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, was well attended by captains of industry, political leaders and distinguished Nigerians from all walks of life.

The Minister was accompanied by his dedicated team, including the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., heads of aviation agencies, directors and close associates, who joined him on stage to receive the coveted plaque.

In his heartfelt acceptance speech, the Minister expressed deep gratitude to Silverbird Communications for the honour, noting that public service is often misunderstood and underappreciated.

“Thank you so much. Please allow me to recognize those who have already been recognized here tonight. You see, public office is such a thankless job because of the trust deficits that exist between the people and governments. But when you get such an award, it helps to encourage you that somewhere, somehow, some people are watching. It is a huge encouragement,” he said.

Describing the recognition as long anticipated, the Minister added with excitement:

“Like I said in the promo, I coveted this for so many years. But finally, it’s right in my hands. I’m going to put it in a glass cage on top of my mantelpiece at home.” The Minister dedicated the award to his team across the aviation sector, emphasizing that their hard work and dedication are the true drivers behind the Ministry’s achievements.

“I have a huge team behind me here that make me look good. The MD of FAAN, the DG of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NAMA, the NCAA, the Flying School, the Aviation University, and all the agencies that I supervise. They actually do all the hard work. I’m just a policymaker and I sit pretty in my office. They make me look good. Thank you, all of you.”

In a moment that drew applause for its candour, the Minister used the platform to apologize to Nigerians over the temporary gridlocks experienced at FAAN airport gates nationwide following the full implementation of a cashless toll policy.

Addressing the audience, he stated: “Ben Bruce, please permit me, I’m going to use this platform to apologize to Nigerians for all the gridlocks they faced today across the country at the gates of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. Today, we went cashless in line with the policy of this government to eliminate the collection of cash at toll gates.”

He explained that the move aligns with the Federal Government’s broader reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and revenue optimization, noting that no previous administration had fully implemented the cashless gate system.

“The President gave us an ultimatum, and today we went cashless at all the gates. We have been announcing it before now, go and get your FAAN cards so that when you get to the gate, you just tap and the barrier opens. If you go to any FAAN gate and you want to pay cash, I’m sorry, you’re going to experience embarrassment and gridlock because nobody will allow you to pass through.”

While acknowledging the initial challenges, the Minister urged Nigerians to embrace the reform in the interest of improved service delivery and enhanced revenue generation for national development.

The Silverbird Minister of the Year Award recognizes outstanding public office holders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and impact within their sectors. The honour further underscores the transformative strides recorded in Nigeria’s aviation industry under the leadership of the Minister.

Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser On Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister said the event concluded with resounding applause as industry leaders and well-wishers celebrated a reform-driven administrator whose bold policies continue to reposition Nigeria’s aviation sector for growth and global competitiveness.